15+ Stage Performances to Watch July 7-8
Wednesday, July 7
TDF: Critics of Color in Conversation
On Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, TDF presents a thought-provoking conversation with three theatre journalists of color: Jose Solís, Alicia Ramírez and Juan Michael Porter II. All three are passionate about the performing arts and have written for prestigious publications, including TDF Stages. They’re also accustomed to often being some of the few non-white audience members at shows—but that’s something they’re actively working to change. Join TDF’s Tyler Riley as he moderates a chat with these three cultural critics and activists. Watch for free on TDF’s Facebook page.
The Metropolitan Opera: The Magic Flute
On Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET, ever since the shutdown began, the Metropolitan Opera has been sharing productions from its Live in HD series nightly at 7:30 p.m. ET. But it also presents weekly student streams that debut on Wednesdays. These productions have been specially selected for families and are complemented by online educational materials. This week’s offering is Tony winner Julie Taymor‘s eye-popping, puppet-filled mounting of Mozart’s fantastical fable The Magic Flute. Condensed into one act and performed in English, this 2006 production stars Nathan Gunn, Ying Huang, Matthew Polenzani, Erika Miklosa and René Pape. Watch for free until Friday at 5 p.m. ET on the Metropolitan Opera’s website.
The Metropolitan Opera: Ariadne auf Naxos
On Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents Elijah Moshinsky‘s effervescent staging of Ariadne auf Naxos, Strauss’ opera-within-an opera about a commedia dell’arte troupe stranded on an island populated by mythic Greek characters. Deborah Voigt stars as the title princess, Richard Margison is Bacchus and Natalie Dessay is the leader of the itinerant players in this 2003 mounting. Watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Elektra, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Thursday, July 8
The Dramatists Guild: Dreaming the Queer Future
On Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, The Dramatists Guild presents Dreaming the Queer Future, a conversation moderated by Peppermint, , and featuring the recipients of the New Visions Fellowship, which amplifies the voices of Black transgender and gender-nonconforming theatre writers. New Visions’ lead mentor, Roger Q. Mason, will also share their insights. Register for the free Zoom link though donations are encouraged.
New Normal Rep: Lines in the Dust
On Thursday at 7 p.m. ET, New Normal Rep presents Lines in the Dust by Obie winner and Pulitzer Prize finalist Nikkole Salter. Set in Newark in 2010, this moving drama centers on a working-class single mother desperate to find an alternative to the underperforming zoned school for her bright young daughter. How much will she risk to give her kid a leg up? Awoye Timpo directs Lisa Rosetta Strum, Melissa Joyner and Jeffrey Bean. Tickets are $25 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount. The recording is viewable until Sunday, August 8.
The Metropolitan Opera: Capriccio
On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Metropolitan Opera presents John Cox‘s roaring ’20s-set Capriccio, Strauss‘ love triangle featuring Renée Fleming as a countess courted by a composer (Joseph Kaiser) and a poet (Russell Braun). Sarah Connolly, Morten Frank Larsen and Peter Rose costar in this 2011 mounting. Watch for free for 23 hours after the start time on the Metropolitan Opera’s website. You can still stream yesterday’s opera, Ariadne auf Naxos, until 6:30 p.m. ET today.
Chance Theater: Sweat
On Thursday at 10 p.m. ET, Los Angeles’ Chance Theater presents a virtual production of Sweat, Lynn Nottage‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a tight-knit group of blue-collar coworkers who are torn apart due to the economic hardship of the early 21st century. Elina de Santos directs a diverse ensemble cast in this heartbreaker. Tickets start at $20 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount.
Available to Watch Both Days
The Garden
On Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET, Baltimore Center Stage presents The Garden, a moving new play written by and starring Tony nominee Charlayne Woodard about the complex relationship between a Black woman and her estranged adult daughter. Patricia McGregor directs this world premiere, which costars Caroline Stefanie Clay. Tickets start at $25 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount.
North Coast Repertory Theatre: Becoming Dr. Ruth
California’s North Coast Repertory Theatre presents four-time Tony nominee Tovah Feldshuh in Becoming Dr. Ruth, Mark St. Germain‘s inspiring one-woman bio play about the cheery sex therapist and her compelling past, including losing her family in the Holocaust, working as a sniper for the Haganah and finally finding Mr. Right after two divorces. David Ellenstein directs the production, which was filmed live on stage at Bay Street Theater, a co-producer of the show. Tickets start at $35 and the recording is viewable until Sunday.
Westport Country Playhouse: Tiny House
Connecticut’s Westport Country Playhouse presents Tiny House, a new comedy by Michael Gotch about a couple that fled the city for simple country life, but a Fourth of July celebration brings their quirky acquaintances to their new locale. Tickets start at $25 but if you’re a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase them at a discount. The recording is available until Sunday, July 18.
Night of a Thousand Judys
Judy, Judy, Judy… Garland that is. This concert celebrates the life and career of the legendary singer-actor, who was born in a trunk in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and traveled over the rainbow to become a movie musical icon. Writer, performer and raconteur Justin Sayre presides over an online edition of this annual favorite, and the lineup of crooners includes Tony winner Alan Cumming, Tony nominees Sam Harris, Vivian Reed and Mary Testa, and stage favorites Karen Mason, Nathan Lee Graham, Jose Llana, Grace McLean and Margo Seibert. Watch for free until Saturday, July 24 on YouTube though donations to The Ali Forney Center are encouraged.
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Top image: Julie Taymor’s staging of The Magic Flute at the Metropolitan Opera.
RAVEN SNOOK